Independent inquiry ordered into Commons bullying claims

An independent inquiry into bullying of parliamentary staff will be launched in the wake of allegations about the Commons Speaker.

John Bercow granted a debate on the treatment of workers in the Commons but faced criticism when he then chaired the discussions.

Commons leader Andrea Leadsom said claims of bullying were a “huge concern”.

She told MPS she was recommending a “short, independently-led” inquiry to the House Commission when it meets next Monday.

“It is right that everyone working for or with Parliament regardless of position or seniority should have the same rights and protections and should be held to the same high standards.”

Currently, the complaints system only covers MPS’ staff and not those – like the clerks – who are directly employed by the House.

Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas secured the urgent question following claims by BBC Two’s Newsnight about alleged bullying of women officials.

One was that Mr Bercow shouted at and undermined his former private secretary Kate Emms.

Mr Bercow has denied the allegations against him, as have the two other MPS named by the programme, Labour’s Paul Farrelly and Conservative Mark Pritchard.